Gough, Millar to continue on skein as well as feature scripts

Two-year, seven-figure overall pact calls for the duo to remain as showrunners on the soph drama about the young Superman, which now ranks as the WB Network’s top-rated show in key demos.

Gough and Millar are exclusive to WBTV in development but plan to focus their small screen work on “Smallville,” while continuing to hammer out feature screenplays (such as the upcoming “The Amazing Spider-Man.”)

Deal ensures creative consistency on “Smallville” through the show’s critical fourth season, when WBTV (which produces the skein with Tollin/Robbins Prods.) will have enough episodes for syndication. Frog has already picked up “Smallville” for its third season (Daily Variety, March 25.)

“What we often lose sight of in this business is the importance of properly maintaining the quality of series currently on the air,” Roth told Daily Variety. ” ‘Smallville’ is arguably one of the most important assets for this studio, and by signing Al and Miles to a long-term agreement, we’ve protected the future of this franchise.”

Roth praised the two scribes for being “brilliant storytellers” who managed to tackle the tough mission of updating a classic character.

“They created the perfect contemporization of one of the great cultural icons of our time,” Roth said.

Scribes, who are repped by WMA and Michael Gendler, said returning to “Smallville” wasn’t a tough choice.

“With any show you create, you’re invested in it and want to protect that vision and ensure it continues,” Gough said. “We still have a lot of stories to tell and we’re excited about where we can this saga and these characters.”

Millar singled out WB Network current programming chief John Litvack, saying both he and the studio “have been so supportive and really have believe in the show.”

Duo said inking with WBTV will allow them to have a career in both TV and movies.

“Our priority is doing this show and continuing to help it grow,” Gough said. “And when we have hiatus time, we prefer to focus on features.”

That said, Millar and Gough aren’t ruling out future TV efforts. “We’re always open to the idea,” Millar said.

After a successful frosh year, “Smallville” entered the Nielsen stratosphere this fall. It currently averages a 3.7/10 among adults 18-34, a whopping 30% gain over last year.

In addition to the next Spidey, Millar and Gough’s feature credits include “Shanghai Noon” and its sequel, “Shanghai Knights,” “Lethal Weapon 4″ and the upcoming New Line pic “Iron Man.”

On the small screen, scribes also created the 1999 UPN drama “The Strip.”